Solemnity

[Gyakuto100]

This video shows why Iai and indeed those that practise it with full conviction, is so completely different (and anachronistic) to combat sports.

For clarity, a kaishakunin is the person who ‘stops the suffering’ of a person engaged in seppuku. Please do watch the whole thing

One of my teachers told me that when delivering the coup de grace at the end of a kata, he sincerely and internally says to the fallen, ‘please rise to heaven’. The idea really moved me and on further investigation I discover bushi/samurai/warriors would sometimes say to those they had just slain, ‘Jōbutsu seyo’ - rest in nirvana. It’s perhaps a way of sanctifying and acknowledging the enormity of the act they have just performed. It’s something I too have adopted into my practise.

 

[isshinryuronin]

This video shows why Iai and indeed those that practise it with full conviction, is so completely different (and anachronistic) to combat sports.

For clarity, a kaishakunin is the person who ‘stops the suffering’ of a person engaged in seppuku. Please do watch the whole thing

One of my teachers told me that when delivering the coup de grace at the end of a kata, he sincerely and internally says to the fallen, ‘please rise to heaven’. The idea really moved me and on further investigation I discover bushi/samurai/warriors would sometimes say to those they had just slain, ‘Jōbutsu seyo’ - rest in nirvana. It’s perhaps a way of sanctifying and acknowledging the enormity of the act they have just performed. It’s something I too have adopted into my practise.

I too feel that Iaido is different from most other TMA/non-TMA. It's the heart (kokoro) within the technique that gives it its unique flavor. My mental bearing was completely different when doing iaido than karate, somehow more spiritually fulfilling and quietly exhilarating. I do miss those years at the late Master Kiyoshi Yamazaki's dojo.

 

[Gyakuto100]

Another very interesting video on the the responsibilities of a swordsman before and after a duel.

 

[Gyakuto100]

I never knew that participants in a duel signed a document called an ‘Adauchi Muyō’ where they agreed the deceased’s kith and kin would not seek revenge in the days/weeks/months after the event. Only the Japanese would be that organised!

 

[Gyakuto100]

Another great video from this channel. This installment is about how it the responsibility of the swordsman to be able to deliver a decisive, instantly fatal cut so that a follow up coup de grace is unnecessary and suffering is kept to a minimum.

 

[Same Trick46]

How much suffering before perfection -

Tameshigiri on prisoners - Bing

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[isshinryuronin]

I think this guy has some of the qualities being discussed.

 

[Gyakuto100]

You know, he’s the subject of my Christmas card, this year!

 

[Gyakuto100]

 

[Gyakuto100]

 

[Gyakuto100]

A bit of a change in this week’s topic but one that is very important for martial arts/combat sports and that is the concept of ‘ma’.

By sheer coincidence, I’m reading and trying to get my head around the subject as discussed in this book. I’m finding it challenging!